NBA Trade Scenarios: 5 Players L.A. Lakers Should Make a Run for Post-Lockout
The NBA lockout has put a hold on all of the free agent happenings that would normally be taking place this time in the offseason.
This article will look at five possible players the Los Angeles Lakers should consider signing or trading for when the lockout is lifted.
While the players in the following slides may not be the biggest stars the league has to offer, they are realistic additions for the Lakers when one considers their biggest weaknesses: point guard play, three-point shooting and a legitimate backup for Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
Let’s take a look.
5. D.J. Augustin
1 of 5The Charlotte Bobcats drafted Kemba Walker with the ninth overall selection. Does the team plan on starting him, or does it want him to back up D.J. Augustin?
If the Bobcats plan on making Walker their starter, Augustin could be a legitimate trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Given Derek Fisher’s age and Steve Blake’s inconsistent first season in Los Angeles, Augustin would be an upgrade at the point guard position.
It would also give the Lakers more flexibility in molding Darius Morris, their draft pick out of Michigan.
In his third NBA season, Augustin averaged 14 points, six assists and 33 minutes per game, all of which were career highs.
4. Samuel Dalembert
2 of 5Samuel Dalembert would be a stellar backup for Pau Gasol and/or Andrew Bynum. The Los Angeles Lakers have more or less carried dead weight the last two seasons at the backup center position.
In the season finale against the Lakers last season, Dalembert recorded 16 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks.
3. Jason Richardson
3 of 5Jason Richardson would do a wonderful job spreading the floor and providing the Los Angeles Lakers with legitimate three-point shooting.
The Lakers' three-point shooting was so shaky at points last season that I wished Sasha Vujacic were back on the roster.
2. J.R. Smith
4 of 5Sure, J.R. Smith is somewhat of a head case, but he would provide perfect punch for the the Los Angeles Lakers off the bench or even in the starting lineup.
Smith’s questionable attitude is worth the risk, in my opinion.
1. J.J. Barea
5 of 5The Los Angeles Lakers got a close view in this year’s playoffs of just how dangerous J.J. Barea can be.
In the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers, Barea torched the defending champions for 11 points and five assists per game off the bench.
Whenever the lockout lifts, Barea becomes an unrestricted free agent.
